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A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material that can be different types, such as ceramic, porcelain, quarry... Among many types of tile, ceramic tile is one the most popular material used in today’s market. This all-purpose tile is durable, reasonably priced and comes in a multitude of colors, pattern and textures. It has huge variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Homeowners normally install tile in the rooms in the home that take the most abuse, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. In addition, homeowners can install different types of tile on fireplaces. Certain types of tile can be installed even outside on porches and patios. Before considering installation of tile, there are many different things that you should look at because tile as a material for floor, wall or ceiling that can provide you with some advantages and disadvantages to be aware of.

Tile pros

When it comes to tile, there are very big variety of mixable colors, shapes, sizes and patterns. Different types of tile have been used as flooring materials for years and earned trust and respect from homeowners throughout the world. Most types of tile are eco-friendly. For example, ceramic tile is considered a green product since it is made with clay and glass tile in most cases made from recycled glass. Tile is very durable material if well made. Most of types of tile are moisture and stain-resistant which are easy to maintain. They do not require any special attention or care. Normally tile installation requires a special good subfloor, such as cement backer boards in order to avoid cracks and other happenings. However, mosaic tile can be laid on uneven surfaces. Another good thing about some tile material, it can be very affordable not only for purchasing materials but for installation purposes also. With proper instructions homeowners can potentially install some types of tile themselves. For example, ceramic tile is easier to install than stone one because it is much easier to cut.

Tile cons

Tile has many pros, but as any other material it does have some cons also. Tile floor can be cold and hard on the feet. A few types of tile can be very expensive depending upon what you choose. Tile can crack or chip depending on the quality of installation and whether a proper subfloor has been installed. No matter whether tile installed on the walls or on the floor, it can be really difficult to repair or nearly impossible. Tile floor can be very slippery when it is wet, especially tile with glossy finishes. While tile can last for a lifetime, tile grout can discolor and is hard to maintain. Another disadvantage of tile floor, it does not have sound-dampening qualities compare to carpet or cork. However, homeowners can use the addition of rugs to help reduce this problem. Tile floor also is less comfortable when standing for longer periods. Some types of tile, such as marble and vinyl should be sealed yearly.